Presidential Staff Office: Free Nutritious Meals Program Reaches 61.2 Million Recipients by Early March 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Head of the Presidential Staff Office, M. Qodari, said that the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG), as of early March 2026, had reached 61,239,037 beneficiaries comprising schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Qodari, in a press conference at the KSP Building, in the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday, explained that the programme’s operations are supported by 24,443 Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) spread across various regions. ‘To ensure service standards are maintained, 32,869 field supervision officers have been deployed to oversee operations so that they run according to the provisions,’ he said. Of the total units, Qodari said, 8,700 SPPG have obtained the Hygiene Sanitation Certificate (SLHS), as part of strengthening food safety. He stated the government targets 82.9 million beneficiaries in 2026. In line with this, the number of SPPG will be increased to 32,000 units to broaden service coverage and accelerate equitable distribution of nutrition across the country. Qodari emphasised that MBG is not only oriented toward nutrition fulfilment, but also designed to stimulate the local economy. ‘This programme involves 94,056 suppliers, including 38,938 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with around 70 percent of food purchases coming from local products,’ he said. The scheme is deemed capable of creating economic circulation in villages while strengthening the national food supply chain.